Helping Children Cope with Trauma From Natural Disasters

Learn how to support your children and family in coping with emotional challenges after natural disasters including the Los Angeles wildfires: practical tips, local resources, and guidance on resilience and recovery.

Natural Disasters are Traumatic

The devastating wildfires in greater Los Angeles County this January have left many families grappling with immense loss, homelessness, uncertainty, and emotional upheaval. The Mamapedia team recognizes that as a parent, helping your children navigate the aftermath of this or any disaster is both a challenging and critical task. Drawing from the guidance provided by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2013), this article outlines practical steps to support your children’s emotional recovery while ensuring your own well-being.

Understanding Emotional Reactions

Children, like adults, may experience a wide range of emotional and behavioral responses to disasters. Some common reactions include:

1. Intense or Unpredictable Feelings: Children may show anxiety, fear, irritability, or sadness. Some might become more clingy or have frequent mood swings.
2. Behavioral Changes: You might notice sleep disturbances, appetite changes, or difficulty concentrating. Children may also have vivid memories or nightmares about the event.
3. Sensitivity to Environmental Triggers: Sounds, smells, or visuals reminiscent of the wildfire (e.g., sirens, smoke) may provoke strong emotional reactions.
4. Interpersonal Challenges: Some children may withdraw from friends and family, while others might express frustration or anger more frequently.
5. Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue could be manifestations of stress.

It’s important to note that children (and adults) can also experience secondary trauma from exposure to media coverage of the wildfires. Seeing pictures of burned homes, hearing stories of loss, or even discussing the event with peers can provoke fear, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness, even for those not directly affected by the disaster.

Steps to Support Your Children

1. Give Them Time to Adjust: Children need time to process the loss of their home, belongings, or even community landmarks. Encourage them to express their emotions and reassure them that it is okay to feel sad, scared, or angry.

2. Limit Exposure to Media: Monitor and limit your child’s exposure to news reports, videos, or images of the wildfires. Too much exposure to distressing content can exacerbate feelings of fear or helplessness. Instead, provide them with age-appropriate, fact-based explanations about what has happened and what steps are being taken to ensure safety.

3. Create a Safe Space for Communication: Invite your children to talk about their feelings in an age-appropriate way. Younger children might express themselves through drawing or storytelling, while teens may prefer journaling or private conversations. Let them know their emotions are valid and that you are there to support them.

4. Reestablish Routines: Routine is vital for providing a sense of stability amidst chaos. Even small routines, like regular mealtimes, bedtime rituals, or scheduled family activities, can offer comfort and predictability.

5. Model Healthy Coping Strategies: Your children look to you for cues on how to cope. Demonstrate healthy habits such as eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and engaging in activities that reduce stress, like exercise or meditation.

6. Monitor for Signs of Distress: While most children are resilient, some may need additional support. Watch for persistent withdrawal, excessive fear, or academic struggles. If these signs continue, consult a licensed mental health professional for guidance.

Helping Children Who Have Lost Family Members or Pets

For children who have experienced the devastating loss of a family member or a beloved pet due to the wildfires, their grief may be profound and complex. Here are some ways to support them:

1. Acknowledge Their Loss: Let your child know it’s okay to mourn. Use clear, age-appropriate language to talk about death and encourage them to share their memories and feelings.
2. Provide Reassurance: Children may worry about losing more loved ones. Reassure them of their safety and the steps being taken to protect your family.
3. Encourage Expression: Grieving children often benefit from creative outlets such as drawing, writing letters to their loved ones or pets, or planting a tree in their memory.
4. Offer Stability: Maintaining routines and familiar activities can help children regain a sense of normalcy while they process their grief.
5. Seek Professional Support: Grief counseling or therapy can be beneficial, especially if your child shows signs of prolonged sadness, withdrawal, or anxiety.

Helping children cope with such a profound loss requires patience and understanding. By providing a safe space for their emotions and guiding them through their grief, you can help them heal and find hope again.

Helping Your Family Move Forward

Recovering as a family after a disaster involves fostering emotional resilience and finding ways to rebuild a sense of hope and normalcy. By leaning on community resources, encouraging creative outlets, and participating in recovery efforts, families can support each other through this challenging time.

1. Lean on Your Community: Social support is critical during recovery. Connect with other families who have experienced similar losses. Local support groups or community gatherings can help children and parents alike feel less isolated. Religious communities can also provide vital emotional and practical support. Attending faith-based activities, such as prayer or communal gatherings, can offer a sense of grounding and belonging during uncertain times (Milstein, 2019). Clergy and religious leaders, who often have deep insights into community culture and needs, can work alongside mental health professionals to support family recovery.
2. Encourage Creative Outlets: Art, music, and play are powerful tools for children to process their experiences. Encourage your child to draw, paint, or engage in imaginative play that helps them make sense of their emotions.
3. Rebuild Hope Together: Participate in community rebuilding efforts when possible. Volunteering or even small acts like planting flowers can help your children feel empowered and part of the recovery process.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child exhibits persistent distress or their behavior significantly disrupts daily life, it may be time to seek professional assistance. The APA (2013) emphasizes the importance of consulting licensed mental health professionals who specialize in trauma, disaster recovery and emotional health.

Final Thoughts

The road to recovery after a disaster is not linear, and setbacks are natural. However, by creating a supportive environment and modeling resilience, you can help your children regain their sense of security and well-being. Together, your family can move forward, heal, and find strength in the bonds you share. Below are some links to resources specifically for the individuals and families in LA County most directly impacted by this disaster.

Resources for Parents in LA County, CA:

County of Los Angeles

LA County Emergency Notifications

American Red Cross Los Angeles Region

Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services

Mental Health Treatment Services in Los Angeles County, CA

Disaster Distress Hotline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 Available to all residents of the US and its territories

The APA’s full guide on emotional recovery after disasters is an excellent resource for understanding the emotional toll of events like the LA wildfires. Visit their website at https://www.apa.org/topics/disasters-response/recovering for more information.

Reference

American Psychological Association. (2013). Recovering emotionally from disaster. Retrieved January 12, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/topics/disasters-response/recovering

APA Resources for their Article:

Bonanno, G. A., Galea, S., Bucciarelli, A., & Vlahov, D. (2007). What predicts psychological resilience after disaster? The role of demographics, resources, and life stress. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75 (5), 671. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.75.5.671

Bonanno, G. A., Papa, A., & O’Neill, K. (2001). Loss and human resilience. Applied and Preventive Psychology, 10 (3), 193-206. doi: 10.1016/S0962-1849(01)80014-7

Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Azarow, J., Blasey, C. M., Magdalene, J. C., DiMiceli, S., … & Spiegel, D. (2009). Psychosocial predictors of resilience after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197 (4), 266-273. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31819d9334

Silver, R. C., Holman, E. A., McIntosh, D. N., Poulin, M., & Gil-Rivas, V. (2002). Nationwide longitudinal study of psychological responses to September 11. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 288 (10), 1235-1244. doi: 10.1001/jama.288.10.1235

Additional Reference:

Milstein, G. (2019). Disasters, psychological traumas, and religions: Resiliencies examined. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 11(6), 559–562. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000510